Festivals are fun and joyous, allowing us to escape the mundane routines of everyday life. Whether the one you attend is spiritual, culinary, or cultural, in just a few hours or days, you can pack in a whole slew of unique experiences, sounds, and sights. From music and books to dance and even mud, these are some of the best 2023 festivals around the world.
1. Songkran Water Festival in Thailand
Where: Throughout Thailand
When: April 13-15, 2023
This annual national holiday celebrates the Buddhist New Year, with some of the biggest water-splashing parties happening in Khon Kaen, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai. What began as a spiritual and religious practice of pouring water over Buddha statues and images, a cleansing of the previous year, has evolved into an all-out water fight on the streets of Thailand. April is one of the hottest months in the country, and being drenched is a welcome reprieve from the heat. You can also expect many parades with flower-laden floats, dancing, and live entertainment.
If you decide to get soaked in Bangkok, stay at The Mulberry, which will put you right in the middle of the festivities on Khaosan Road. Chiang Mai is said to be one of the best cities to celebrate Songkran, and you’ll want to make the aptly named and centrally located POR Thapae Gate Hotel your base.
2. LA Times Festival of Books in California
Where: University of Southern California campus
When: April 22-23, 2023
Come spring, bibliophiles flock to the City of Angels for the annual LA Times Festival of Books, the largest literary festival in America. Whatever your favorite genre or celebrity author, you’ll find a dizzying array of indoor and outdoor events: thought-provoking panels, lectures, discussions, and workshops and readings led by authors, poets, artists, chefs, celebrities, and musicians. The festival is also an excellent opportunity to meet fellow readers, writers, and thinkers for a weekend-long exchange of books, words, and ideas.
Bed down at the stylish Hoxton Downtown LA, whose elegant rooms and rooftop pool with views of downtown LA are perfect for reading well into the late hours. Plus, you can check out Chef Stephanie Izard’s latest LA restaurant, Cabara. But if you’re looking for simple, clean, affordable accommodations, Solo Motel – Broadway is your spot.
3. Boryeong Mud Festival in South Korea
Where: Boryeong
When: July 21 – August 6, 2023
The muddy beaches of Daecheon on the west coast of Korea were once avoided until the mud’s beneficial properties were discovered. Rich in minerals such as germanium, aluminum, sodium, and magnesium, the mud began to be used in Korean cosmetic products. And in 1998, the annual Boryeong Mud Festival was launched. From skin softening and improving blood circulation to balancing pH levels and pulling toxins out of the body, this super fun mud party proves that getting dirty is actually good for you. And at this 2023 festival, the opportunities to get muddy are countless, from mud playgrounds and inflatable theme parks to mud wrestling and obstacle courses.
If you are traveling with a large party and want to spend the night in Boryeong, stay at the Daecheon Hub Pension. The rooms feature kitchenettes and can sleep up to 15 people. If you plan to drive to and from Seoul, bed down at the ultra-sleek L7 Myeongdong by LOTTE.
4. South Beach Wine and Food Festival in Florida
Where: Miami Beach
When: February 23-26, 2023
The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) is one of Miami’s most-anticipated, star-studded culinary 2023 festivals. Expect more than 100 unique events throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties, featuring more than 400 local and global chefs and wine and spirit producers. From walk-around tastings, themed dinners, late-night parties, master cooking classes, and wine tastings, this is a one-of-a-kind culinary experience. Along with signature events such as Emeril Lagasse’s Burger Bash and Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village, this year’s new highlights include Craft-y Happy Hour and Bites, Smorgasburg After Dark hosted by Rev Run, and The Cookout hosted by JJ Johnson and former Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade.
For the complete SOBEWFF experience, book a room at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, which will host Wine Spectator’s Best of the Best event. Or spend the night at The Goodtime Hotel, where you can burn calories at the sprawling pool or during morning yoga sessions.
5. Shakespeare in the Park in New York
Where: The Delacorte Theater in Central Park
When: June 8 – August 6, 2023
“All the world’s a stage” during New York’s annual summer tradition of free open-air Shakespeare performances at Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Presented by the Public Theater, scoring these free tickets takes a little dedication but is well worth the effort. You can stand in line for tickets on the day of the performance at the Delacorte Theater and the Public Theater box offices. Or, you can try your luck via a digital lottery. If you have money to spare, donate $300 for guaranteed seating. Either way, taking in a Shakespeare performance immersed in verdant surroundings, with Turtle Pond and the majestic Belvedere Castle in the background, is the ultimate free New York experience.
Choose the stately Hotel Lucerne for easy access to the Delacorte Theater box office. If you plan to try your luck at the Public Theater and want to save money, then The Jane Hotel is a solid option.
6. Envision Festival in Costa Rica
Where: Uvita
When: February 27 – March 6, 2023
Seven pillars define the goals and experiences of this unique festival set in the Costa Rican beachside jungle of Uvita: sustainability, education, art, health, movement, spirituality, and music. While definitely transformational, with multiple movement and yoga classes and workshops on topics ranging from permaculture and herbalism to spirituality and mindfulness, Envision is very much about music, with five distinct stages hosting performances by local and global acts. In-between, head to the beach to watch the sunset in a communal hand-holding ceremony, shop for trinkets at the global art and artisan marketplace, or head to the on-site spa for wellness treatments.
While there are options to camp at the festival, you’re likely to have a better night’s sleep at Hotel & Villas Huetares, which has a pool and is a stone’s throw from Hermosa Beach. For a more refined sojourn, book a few nights at the beachfront Hotel Bosque del Mar Playa Hermosa.
7. Life is Beautiful Music & Art Festival in Nevada
Where: Downtown Las Vegas
When: September 22-24, 2023
If any city knows how to throw showstopping 2023 festivals, it’s Las Vegas! And the Life is Beautiful Music & Art Festival is an all-out celebration of everything that makes Vegas a standout city. Taking over 18 city blocks in Downtown Las Vegas for three full days, this festival shines the spotlight on major music acts, artists, comedians, local culinary talent, and influential guest speakers. The festival lineup for 2023 is TBA as of this article’s publishing, but past performers have included Gorillaz, Billie Eilish, Childish Gambino, Tame Impala, Migos, Calvin Harris, the Weeknd, and many more. Since this year is the festival’s 10th anniversary, you can bet it will be the best yet.
The Cromwell Hotel & Casino is a more intimate choice among the towering hotels on the strip. And if you are on a budget, you can usually score a deal at OYO Hotel and Casino. A word to the wise: Book your stay in advance, as this lively festival tends to bring big crowds and higher room prices.
8. Pub in the Park in the UK
Where: Wimbledon, Marlow, Dulwich, Bath, Reigate, Leamington Spa, Turnbridge Wells, Brighton, Chiswick, St. Albans
When: May 12 – September 10, 2023
If your travel plans include a trip to the UK this year, don’t miss Pub in the Park, which brings local chefs, pubs, and musicians to various local parks for weekend-long parties. With Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge at the helm, the festival celebrates the best features of English pubs — food, drinks, and music. It’s a family event, too, with each of the 10 locations boasting kids’ areas and entertainment for the wee ones. Learn new techniques and recipes at the chef demos. Then shop for British staples at the on-site Artisan Food Market and get some goods at Shopping Village.
In Brighton, stay at the quaint Cavalaire Guest House, minutes from the sea and local pubs and eateries. In Bath, the OYO Bailbrook Lodge is both charming and affordable. Plus, it’s got lovely views of the Avon Valley.
9. Awa Odori Dance Festival in Japan
Where: Tokushima
When: August 12-15, 2023
Often overlooked by travelers to Japan, Tokushima hosts the largest and arguably the most beautiful dance festival in Japan, with origins dating back more than 400 years. Awa was Tokushima’s former name, and Odori means dance in Japanese. The celebrations are part of a larger Obon Festival honoring the spirit of one’s ancestors, similar to Día de los Muertos. The deceivingly simple “Fool’s Dance” is a highly choreographed and prized performance. With daytime and evening events, the festival sees around 100,000 amateur and professional dancers parading through closed-off streets to the sounds of gongs, flutes, and taiko drums, outfitted in traditional colorful costumes and hats.
Your best bet for finding affordable lodgings is outside the city, and Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Awaji Fukura is a solid option. If you’re traveling to the festival via Kobe, make the traditional Arima Onsen Taketoritei Maruyama, with Kaiseki dinners and private hot springs, your top choice.
10. VinòForum in Italy
Where: Rome
When: June 9-18, 2023
VinòForum is a week-long oenological extravaganza that promotes Italian food, wine, and culture. The lineup includes more than 800 Italian and international wineries, special dinners with star chefs and mixologists, and local restaurants and wine bars, as well as talks, cooking classes, and demonstrations that capture the diverse flavors and traditions of the Italian Peninsula. Each year brings new spaces, themes and events, such as Pizza D’autore, which pairs pizzas with exceptional Italian wines. The 2023 festival lineup is TBA as of this article’s publishing, but you can count on it being just as impressive — if not more — than years past.
Centrally located, with Villa Borghese a leisurely stroll away, Hotel Villa Pinciana is the ideal base for exploring Rome. But, for the ultimate Roman dining (and wining) experience, nothing comes close to a stay at the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
Ready to book your getaway to 2023 festivals?
Whatever festival(s) you decide to attend, you’ll always find great flight deals on Skyscanner. Start planning now!
Want to read more?
- Maximize your vacation time in 2023 with smart planning
- Looking for the next cool city? 11 reasons why you should visit Istanbul
- Travel more and spend less: Here’s how to find great flight deals
